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Facebook can be a great place for the exchange of ideas and challenging debate. In between playing online poker and that killing-zombies game, I’ll even sometimes stumble onto one of those debates between libertarian ideas and statist ideas. I just did.

Certain statist ideas recur in every one of these debates. They are as predictable as a Lindsey Lohan car wreck. I found the following, verbatim, moments ago:

Quit paying taxes, using the post office, close all the public schools, and cut your own grandma’s off Medicare, and then you might at least be consistent with the illogical ranting about government involvement. Cheers.

This sums up the statist belief. Every pro-freedom idea is always, in the end, trumped with “you just want to kill your grandmom!” Then the statist walks off, smug in his love of your grandma and, indeed, all old people.

But let’s address these assertions and see if we can find a theme:

“Quit paying taxes.” Many would, but government agents with guns will take them away and put them in cages.

“Quit using the post office.” Many would be glad to do so, but government agents have declared that only the USPS can deliver first class letters. If they set up a competing business to do that, government agents with guns will take them away and put them in cages.

“Close all the public schools.” How about letting parents use their education tax money on attending any school they wish? Lots of people would keep that money and make their own decisions, but government agents with guns would take them away and put them in cages.

“Cut grandma off Medicare.” How about letting grandma keep all that money that was taken away from her while she worked her entire life? Lots of people would keep that money and make their own decisions, but government agents with guns would take them away and put them in cages.

Did you spot the theme?

The statist philosophy is simple: The government knows best. The government is compassionate. Comply with its good intentions for your own well-being. And if you don’t, government agents with guns will take you away and put you in a cage.

The Charles Koch Institute seeks a Marketing Coordinator with a special focus on social media to join its communications team. This position will work in support of efforts to increase the awareness of and engagement in the Institute’s various projects, including the Economic Freedom Project (www.economicfreedom.org) and the Institute’s professional education programs. The Marketing Coordinator [...] [...]

[ June 20, 2012; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] No happy hour this week! See “change of plans” below: The American Dream turned into a nightmare when the housing bubble burst, and people have been trying to figure out who to blame- Greedy bankers? Corrupt politicians? Ignorant homeowners? In American Nightmare: How Government Undermines the Dream of Homeownership, Randal O’Toole explores the forces at play [...] [...]

First meeting in a while, besides first meeting for the month of June. Plenty to talk about that is going on as always. Including the U.S. Presidential race & this year’s Liberty @ The Ballpark. Hope to see all the regulars as well as old friends and newbies are always welcome. Cheers for liberty! Event [...] [...]

[ July 31, 2012; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] Celebrate the Life of Dr. Friedman With LOTR! Liberty on the Rocks is pleased to invite you to join us for Friedman Legacy for Freedom Day! This annual, international event provides fans of Milton Friedman and lovers of liberty the opportunity to learn about free market ideas, and to celebrate the impact they had on our [...] [...]

[ June 6, 2012; 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] Join fellow liberty advocates for food, cocktails and fun conversation this Wednesday night at Choppers in Cherry Creek! MEETING ON THE PATIO + FREE APPETIZERS!!!! RSVP on Facebook! Become part of discussions about capitalism, free markets, societies where no one rules with an iron fist – or whatever you feel like bringing up! This week’s topic for discussion [...] [...]